With Dartmoor National Park a breathtaking backdrop and world class hacking in its backyard, Old Brook Farm is the ultimate destination for a holiday with your horse. As house guests at the historic homestead, you’ll enjoy a wonderfully warm and authentic experience, and the perfect base camp from which to start your adventure. 

 

Via a historic drift lane—a centuries-old farming route used to bring livestock down from the moor—guests head out on their horses to an abundance of riding routes, as long or short as desired, in a wild, ancient landscape famed for its prolific wildlife and eerie folklore. There is no better perspective from which to experience the moor’s spectacular panoramas than through your horse’s ears, and a hack to the highest of hills—tors—is rewarded with views across to the English Channel. 

 

The recently refurbished, luxurious and versatile accommodation in the main house features elegant furniture, antiques and vintage art. Guests’ well-appointed bedrooms all have magnificent views over the surrounding countryside, and onto the historic courtyard stabling and paddocks, where equine partners will overnight (in or out, as preferred).

 

There is also the option of camping, for those who wish to sleep under the stars, perhaps start your day with a wild swim, and enjoy a hearty barbequed breakfast by the river before saddling up.

 

House guests start their day with a delicious, cooked or continental breakfast, served in the dining room or al fresco, on the lawn overlooking the moor; and afternoon tea and cake is enjoyed in the oak-panelled drawing room, or al fresco. These rooms, and the outdoor lawn seating, are reserved for the exclusive enjoyment of guests throughout their stay. 

 

Light lunch and/or in-house supper is on request—and, for the final evening, we highly recommend reflecting on your stay at the top of the Farm overlooking the moor, enjoying a pre-dinner glass or two of Champagne. 

 

Old Brook Farm benefits from a choice of fabulous pubs and restaurants close by, for both lunch and dinner reservations, and a pub ride is one of the many fun activities on offer.

 

Welcoming only one party at a time allows hosts, Victoria & Tom to provide a truly tailored experience, share their experiences and anecdotes, and be on hand to guide as required, ensuring guests get the very most out of their stay.

 

Horse guests are similarly well catered for. Stabling is on a DIY basis in generously proportioned, traditional stone built loose boxes with rubber matting, that stay cool in summer and are cosy in winter. Hay and straw bedding is provided, turnout is available and highly experienced equestrienne, Victoria is available for any support that may be needed. 

 

For those without their own horse, but wishing to book an equestrian escape, we’ve forged a unique collaboration with the highly regarded Cheston Farm Equestrian Centre close by. Offering expert-guided group rides on fabulous, moor-wise mounts, matched to individuals, they enable competent riders to combine similarly spectacular hacking with the luxury of Old Brook Farm hospitality. 

 

Just forty five minutes’ drive from Old Brook Farm is the beautiful sandy beach where International Velvet was filmed and guests are encouraged to incorporate a coastal canter into their stay, in addition to their explore of the moor.

 

“We delight in sharing our home, Old Brook Farm, and introducing visitors to the magic of the moor. With its huge skies, stunning riding and beautiful setting, it is the perfect location to relax and reset. Restoring the farm to its former glory has been a joy and carried out with great care and respect for our predecessors. We feel privileged to be custodians of this historic piece of Devon heaven and can’t wait to welcome you and your horse.” 

~ Victoria & Tom